The act allowing health benefits for state workers' partners in Michigan was not repealed by the republicans in the House.

The republicans said the state simply cannot have the money to provide the insurance - around $11 million annually.

This act extends health benefits to same-sex partners or other adults living with the state employees.

Ray Holman, who represents approximately 17,000 social workers of social service and other civils servant, said that he was relieved by the decision.

"We would not want the Civil Service Commission to be overturned," he said. "That hasn't happened before in recent memory. These types of things should be handled at the bargaining table. We negotiated it fair and square."

Lansing State Journal wrote that however, House Speaker Jase Bolger, a Marshall Republican, blasted Democrats for blocking Thursday's resolution and failing to address the state's fiscal crisis."The Civil Service Commission has been incredibly irresponsible, saddling taxpayers with $11 million in additional spending at a time when we are dealing with a huge deficit," Bolger said in a prepared statement.

As part of a budget proposal unveiled in February, Snyder said he would ask state employees for $180 million in concessions. Potentially, the same-sex benefits may be among the concessions sought.